Military historian and classicist Victor Davis Hanson argued that President Trump should proceed with a planned visit to China next month for a summit with Chinese leaders, saying the trip could be used to rub in the extent of the United States' current influence over the Chinese economy.
He noted that the United States currently controls a significant portion of China’s oil supply and has been exerting indirect pressure through Operation Epic Fury, as China has urged Iran to reach a deal.
Laura Ingraham asked the question, should Trump go to China?
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 16, 2026
Victor Davis Hanson’s answer was perfect: “I’d only go to rub it in.”
China’s proxies just got absolutely humiliated, and they know it. pic.twitter.com/VO1cEdpsxp
"But should we even entertain this idea of Meeting with China in Beijing, in a communist country, given what we know?" Fox News' Laura Ingraham asked. "What are the risks of canceling that summit?"
"I would only go to rub it in," Hanson replied. "I mean, China has to import 11 million barrels of oil a day, and it's record price it's been, and it takes 80 percent of Iranian oil. That's about 1.5 million barrels a day it takes, and it's uncertain, and their proxy has been humiliated, and their proxy in Venezuela has been humiliated. So if Trump's gonna go over there and remind him how bad things have gone for them, it's okay, but if he's gonna go over there and think that they're at all friendly to us, it's a mistake."
Just yesterday, President Trump said China had urged Iran to reach a deal, adding that Beijing was unhappy after the United States threatened embargoes over claims that China was helping finance Iran.
🚨 CHINA IS BEGGING IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 16, 2026
President Trump has not only squeezed Iran's oil exports DRY, costing them billions, but American oil is setting daily RECORDS as the world's tankers flock to the US for gas
WATTERS: "Xi Jinping got a bit prickly about the embargo. Now… pic.twitter.com/azyI4JwSBI
"China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. "I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!! President DJT."
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran…” - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/g2LbmMJS5a
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 15, 2026